“Classifying the ATL as non-lethal is obviously incorrect. With 30-100 times the heating power of a stove plate applied at a spot of the same size the weapon can kill people, set combustible objects on fire or explode munitions. It is clearly a lethal weapon, as comparison with an assault rifle shows.” — Jürgen Altmann, “Millimetre Waves, Lasers, Acoustics for Non-Lethal Weapons? Physics Analyses and Inferences“, Deutsche Stiftung Friedensforschung, 16, 2008.

The Airborne Laser (ABL) research and development platform successfully fired the onboard High Energy Laser (HEL) to engage an instrumented target missile, This test was not intended to lethally destroy the missile but demonstrate the full functionality of the ABL system to acquire, track, and engage a boosting target. Test instrumentation aboard the target – Missile Alternative Range Target Instrument (MARTI) collected data to evaluate the laser system performance. The MARTI was launched from San Nicolas Island, located in the Naval Air Warfare Center-Weapons Division Sea Range, off the central California coast. The first attempt to shoot down of a boosting ballistic missile using directed energy technology is scheduled for later this year. — “Airborne Laser Conducts First Engagement with a Target Missile“, Defense Update, Januar 2010.

[…] a short-range threat-representative ballistic missile was launched from an at-sea mobile launch platform. Within seconds, the ALTB used onboard sensors to detect the boosting missile and used a low-energy laser to track the target. The ALTB then fired a second low-energy laser to measure and compensate for atmospheric disturbance. Finally, the ALTB fired its megawatt-class High Energy Laser, heating the boosting ballistic missile to critical structural failure. The entire engagement occurred within two minutes of the target missile launch, while its rocket motors were still thrusting. — “Airborne Laser Testbed Successful in Lethal Intercept Experiment“, Missile Defense Agency, U.S. Departement of Defense, 11.02.2010.